Verizon Communications Inc. chief operating officer Lowell McAdam confirmed Tuesday that its $30 unlimited data plan will remain in place for the launch of iPhone sales.

But he also said this is a temporary situation that has more to do with competitive positioning to lure existing U.S. owners of the Apple Inc. devices to Verizon Wireless.

A number of iPhone users now have grandfathered plans with AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) that offer unlimited data use. AT&T stopped offering the plans last year on the iPhone, saying it was concerned that its network couldn't handle the increased data loads of the iPhone.

McAdam promised in a conference call with analysts Tuesday that Verizon's Feb. 10 iPhone launch will go smoothly and that he is confident its network can handle the expected increased data loads.

He reiterated, however, that the company will move to tiered data plans in the future.

I did see something regarding this a few days ago... I wish I knew exactly which direction the data plans will go. Internally, we make jokes about AT&T's 2 GB data plan... Why do we have to follow their lead? Consumer Reports rated them the worst wireless provider in 2010..

They can't force you into anything other than unlimited, if you currently have unlimited. However, when you want a new phone and new contract, expect the increase.

I really hope VZW can figure something out to benefit the consumer. I don't have the money to put more than I currently do toward a phone. If I'm forced into more, I'll probably end up on prepay without data at all.

2gigs could be iffy, especially going forward, but truth be told for most there is no effective difference between a 5gig plan and an unlimited plan.

I don't know, to me it only makes sense to start pricing the plans like home broadband (which LTE is, arguably, a viable competitor). They could offer 3-4 different tiers of data allowances (i.e. 200megs, 2gigs, 5 gigs, 10 gigs and/or unlimited) and then 3 tiers of speed (1mbps like 3G, 3mbps, and full LTE).

That is how you optimize revenues and appeal to the largest segment of consumers. Of course, what I listed is only a guess but they have the analytics and the research. Mainly, you just don't want too many dropping down to a lower price plan and costing you revenue. From VZW perspective, they'll offer faster speeds for the same price and when people whine about 2gigs or whatever they'll point out that 90% of users don't go over that.

I switched from blackberry to droid and I was told by many sales reps I made the smart choice because they said to expect by march or april that unlimited plans would be going away.

Given that I use my phone very heavy I need the unlimited plans. Just like the tethering plans they went from 5gb down to 2gb and they increased the cost. Sadly I think vzw is moving the way of att, get as much money they can from us.

I'm just thankful these providers have no more power than what i allow
them to have. As of now i have unlimited-which they can't take away
and keep me...they can even tell me they don't care. guess what. In
today's unfortunate world he who cares the least wins. I can go to
metro pcs and survive. or my phone before my d2g... a greyscale
tracphone. so good to be flexible and not needy...

I just got my d2g from VZW last week and got an unlimited plan. While I was in the store I overheard another rep speaking to a customer telling him that he had a 2gig cap or maybe that's what it will soon be, or maybe he still has some outdated plan, I don't know. That's all I caught of the conversation but the customer didn't look happy. I guess I'm good for two years. I'm not too worried though, it seems like everywhere I go there's some fool with an open network I can access so I'm almost always running off of Wi-Fi.

I just got my d2g from VZW last week and got an unlimited plan. While I was in the store I overheard another rep speaking to a customer telling him that he had a 2gig cap or maybe that's what it will soon be, or maybe he still has some outdated plan, I don't know. That's all I caught of the conversation but the customer didn't look happy. I guess I'm good for two years. I'm not too worried though, it seems like everywhere I go there's some fool with an open network I can access so I'm almost always running off of Wi-Fi.

Click to expand...

From what the telesales person told me, the only way to get any 5gb or higher plans are to:

1) get a 4g air card
2) get a blackberry

they will not be offering 5gb tethering to any other phone or device except for those two.. so.. kinda :icon_evil: about giving up my kick butt plan to go into this droid :-/

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